Bethlehem Roots
Bethlehem Hebron- Jerusalem St., Tel: 972 and/or 970 (2)276 0321.
A non-profit organization providing services to local individuals and groups.Licensed by the Palestinian Ministry of Interior to operate in Palestine as a non-government organization (NGO).
To minimize and if possible stop the emigration of local citizens from BETHLEHEM area in particular and Palestinian Territories in general. Our main goal is to bring a change in the society that would direct citizen to hold on to their motherland and property through community projects that will create jobs and provide sustainable growth for the Palestinian community.
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GOAL The goal of our organization has been defined as
minimizing and preventing the current emigration of our local citizens,
mainly in
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The Bethlehem Roots organization has been established to achieve these goals. The organization is comprised of concerned and active Palestinian members from the Bethlehem area. It will serve as a viable mechanism to promote and strengthen the sense of belonging among the youth of Palestine. The Organization will work to monitor and evaluate the current situation regarding emigration and mobilize the social forces for the purpose of undertaking measures that would help the local citizens to stay on their land.
Long term objective
The main objective mainly evolves around minimizing and eventually preventing the current waves of emigration of our local citizens, mainly in Bethlehem area and in all Palestinian territories as well.
Short term objectives:
1. Conducting local events that would help people get together, exchange ideas and enhance their Relationships.
2. Conduct open discussion sessions that would help individuals express their own opinions, and explore solution for their own problems through interaction and dialogue.
3. Holding social events that would open an opportunity for every one to get away from daily routine and pressure.
4. Plan and implement programs and projects that aim at providing job opportunities, reducing unemployment and fighting poverty.
Justification
Christian emigration from Holy land started in the late 19th century and has increased steadily since then leading to a decrease in the number of Palestinian Christians who now constitute only 1.5%of the total population.( CNEAW ;Report on Christian Emigration :Palestine.).
The continuous deterioration in the livelihood of many families has forced people to seek new economic opportunities. In the past 10 years the number of Christian emigrants from the West Bank and Gaza has increased considerably due to economic hardship, political uncertainly, threats to personal identity, housing and education, in addition to challenge related to religious identity.
This steady stream of Palestinian Christian migration is common especially in areas of Christian concentration- Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah. Therefore the Bethlehem Roots Society finds it very important to target this sector of the Palestinian society, trying to put its utmost effort to reduce the number of emigrants especially among youth.
Activities:
Bethlehem Roots conducted a meeting with heads of religious parties from local churches to get their moral support and benefits from their guidance and suggestion in guiding local individuals towards holding on to their land and country.
We also conducted a survey on the impact of the wall currently being built around the Palestinian Territories, the damage it caused, and the impact it had on properties and individuals.
Bethlehem Roots aims to work with other organization as partners, in join projects, cooperating together to help make the necessary change that will eventually achieve the organization goal.